October is spooky season, but that doesn’t mean frightening noises should be coming from your air conditioning system. If your home has a unit that was installed within the last several years, chances are it features a two-stage or variable speed motor that was engineered to produce little to no noise. Granted, its regular operation is not whisper-quiet enough to go unnoticed, but additional loud and disruptive sounds can be an indicator of a moderate to severe issue – often a sign it’s time to repair key components or replace your system.
To help you diagnose the issue with your A/C, here are some of the most common cooling system noises you may hear and what to do next.
Screech
A screeching noise typically means the issue is coming from one of two places: your fan motor or your compressor. If the problem is your fan motor, you will hear the sound while the fan is running. If you hear the screeching noise only when your A/C first kicks on, then the issue is most likely with your compressor. If this is the case, shut off your A/C system immediately. In both scenarios, we recommend calling an HVAC technician.
Squeal
High-pitched squealing noises are usually caused by the bearings on your condenser fan’s motor. Newer units utilize direct-drive motors without belts, which pull air across the condenser coils in your compressor. If this is the case for your air conditioner, you may hear squealing or grinding from your outdoor unit, which indicates that the motor needs to be replaced. Again, call a professional to take care of this issue.
Bang
A banging noise from the outside unit is an indicator of a problem with the compressor. This component is engineered to distribute refrigerant to various parts of the A/C system to remove excess heat from your home. As your central air conditioning system reaches the middle or end of its lifespan, it is not uncommon for parts to become loose inside the compressor. The banging sound is caused by these detached components hitting the framing of the unit. If you consistently hear a bang, you will need to call a professional.
Buzz
If your compressor is having issues starting up combined with a buzzing noise, blame your capacitor. The capacitor is your A/C’s electrical powerhouse and stores the power needed to kickstart your system. If it’s damaged, it won’t be able to provide enough juice for the system to start up – and will make that buzzing noise while trying. Most likely, you will need a pro to replace the capacitor.
Bubble
A gurgling or bubbling noise that occurs whenever your air conditioner is running may mean that the drain line is clogged or cracked. If you feel comfortable checking for yourself, turn off your system and inspect the drain line. If not, schedule an appointment with a technician to clear the line.
The Badger Bottom Line
The spooky sounds of Halloween can be fun this time of year, but if you’re hearing your cooling system screech, squeal, bang, buzz or bubble, you should probably get it checked out. If your unit needs to be replaced, now is the right time with our New A/C Guarantee. You can get the A/C system of your choice, 0% financing for up to 5 years, up to $1,650 in rebates, plus a 10-year warranty on parts and labor, and a 10-year maintenance plan. Give us a call or visit us HERE to learn more!